Last fall, UEPCC discussed possible best practices for helping students with longer absences and how CLAS might better guide instructors making decisions about giving extensions or an Incomplete.

• That is, what is a reasonable amount of help to extend to a student at this point in the semester?

In most cases, a key factor is whether one can be assured that the student has a reasonable chance to achieve the learning goals of the course. Without this assurance, it can be better to encourage a student to drop the course after talking to a professional academic advisor and Financial Aid, for example.

UEPCC members also recommended that instructors consider the below questions about the student and the course before making any decisions about extensions or an Incomplete.

• Please also keep in mind that the CLAS Incomplete policy requires that the student is “in good standing” and has little work left to complete: https://clas.uiowa.edu/faculty/grades-undergraduate-policies-and-guidelines#Incomplete.
• The student and instructor should agree on a deadline for the work missed and include any other expectations in writing: Incomplete Agreement Form.

QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER BEFORE AGREEING TO EXTENSIONS OR INCOMPLETES

Questions about the student’s performance before the absences occurred:

• Before the longer absence or absences occurred, did the student usually attend class (or attend class according to SDS accommodations as discussed with the instructor)?
• Has the student communicated reliably with the instructor as needed?
• Was the student’s written work generally submitted by the relevant deadlines?
• Did the student usually participate by speaking, asking questions, and through active listening when given opportunities to do so?
• Did the student take the previous exams or quizzes at the day and time scheduled?
• Overall, was the student’s work to date satisfactory, i.e., at least of average quality?
• If the student’s absence was related to COVID-19, was the self-submit report received by the instructor?
• If not related to COVID-19, did the student provide the instructor with the related absence form and some type of documentation?
• Keep in mind CLAS requires documentation for a longer absence.

Questions about the course size, level, and structure:

• Does the course build on earlier course components, with the course’s learning outcomes depending on the student having competence in a previous course component?
• If the course, on the other hand, is built around discrete modules, can the student reenter the course and finish it without making up the missed modules while still being able to achieve the course’s learning outcomes? 
• Do students in the course generally learn through interactive and applied, systemic skill-building and/or practice during the class? Can this learning be “made up” in short experiences or alternative activities outside of class?
• Given the level of the course and the complexity of the content matter, does the student have enough prior knowledge about the subject matter, perhaps from related courses, to successfully complete the course and to achieve competency in its learning outcomes with little additional instructional support?
• Given the class size, what approach to helping a student would enable the same opportunities to be extended to others in similar situations?

The student should also be encouraged to discuss the matter with an academic advisor and may be referred to my staff in the Academic Programs and Student Development Office (clasps@uiowa.edu) if the student expresses concerns related to probation, dismissal, overall academic standing, and graduation requirements, for example. UI athletes and international students may also be reminded to contact those offices about hours needed. The last day to drop a course is Friday, May 7, at 4: 30 p.m.

Other important resources may be found on the Quick Guide to Helping Students, available from this page: https://dos.uiowa.edu/assistance/quick-guide-for-helping-students/

Thank you and please let me know if you have questions; I am always happy to consult with you.